Category Archives: Uncategorized

Lay Down Your Independence

Posted on December 16, 2011 by Carl Simmons

We’ve spent a lot of time in recent Fridays talking about how to deal with our feelings toward those who’ve opposed and hurt us. Therefore, we’re going to widen our net ever-so-slightly to include one more enemy—you. All of us … Continue reading →

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Grow, Team!

Posted on December 14, 2011 by Carl Simmons

What’s your favorite team or organization? Why? (And hey, who doesn’t love a team with a mascot that looks, and frankly acts, like Barney’s deformed brother? –>) What’s the best team, organization, or group you’ve been a part of? What … Continue reading →

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Without Love, I’m Nothing

Posted on December 12, 2011 by Carl Simmons

Think about your last bad experience while going out to eat, whether it was a four-star restaurant or a fast-food joint…. What went wrong? What could have been prevented, and how? How could—or did—others help make things right, even if … Continue reading →

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Lay Down Your Doubt — a start

Posted on December 9, 2011 by Carl Simmons

Our anxiety expresses itself through doubt. And our doubt expresses itself by taking things into our own hands. Whether we say it or even consciously think it, trying to make things happen on our own says, at best, “God’s not … Continue reading →

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Failure IS an Option—Just Not the Final One

Posted on December 7, 2011 by Carl Simmons

Since there’s more reading than usual today, let’s ease you in with a nice movie clip, from the movie October Sky. There’ll be another clip later on, but for now, think about this:  • What relation do you see between … Continue reading →

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Sharing the Gift

Posted on December 5, 2011 by Carl Simmons

When have you felt “left out”? Choose any kind of situation you like. What could you have offered that you felt wasn’t being asked for or wanted? On the other hand, when have you been the one who kept your … Continue reading →

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So Simple, Even a Small-Group Leader Can Do It

Posted on December 1, 2011 by Carl Simmons

…and for that matter, so concise that small-group leaders will actually read it. And if they do, they’ll come away with a framework that can be easily transferred within any small-group ministry. Jim Egli and Dwight Marable. Small Groups, Big … Continue reading →

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Follow ME?

Posted on November 30, 2011 by Carl Simmons

Think about a time when you had to do something brand-new that you thought you already understood—for instance, a move to a new town, a new job, or a new church. What skills and experiences were you able to use … Continue reading →

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But What Does God WANT Me to Do?

Posted on November 28, 2011 by Carl Simmons

Trust in the LORD, and do good;     dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness. Delight yourself in the LORD,    and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD;     trust in … Continue reading →

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Sharing the Vision

Posted on November 23, 2011 by Carl Simmons

Think about a time when you couldn’t “see the big picture”—a painful time that something positive came out of, or a promise you had to wait for, for example. How did you handle the waiting? And what was it like … Continue reading →

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